Display rack

ABSTRACT

An adjustable display rack for use in conjunction with a display case is constructed with a base member having a forward tray section and a rearward tray section, the rearward tray section being disposed at a level above that of the forward tray section, the base member being inserted in the display case and spanning the case from front to back. A variable extension member is engageable with the rearward tray section to form an elevated display shelf above the forward section of the base member, the length of the extension being adjustable to accommodate changing requirements.

United States Patent [72] lnvcntor William T. Brigham 1,763,419 6/1930 Crossmore et a1. 248/175 230 Park Ave., New York. NY. 10017 3,385,452 /1968 Dantino et a1. 211/175 3; 1 969 Primary ExaminerJordan Franklin i t d J 1971 Assistant ExaminerGeo. V. Larkin I l d an e um A!t0rneyAmstcr& Rothstein 54 DISPLAY RACK 4 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 312/351,

206/72, 312/128, 248/175,211/178 ABSTRACT: An adjustable display rack for use in conjunc- Int. Cl.

[ion a case is constructed a base member A47b /00 having a forward tray section and a rearward tray section, the 0f i v .4 rearward tray ection being disposed at a level above of 312/1 123, the forward tray section, the base member being inserted in 133, 129, 136, 274, 351; 220/19 the display case and spanning the case from front to back. A 206/46- 77 variable extension member is engageable with the rearward tray section to form an elevated display shelf above the forlsfi] Referemes Clted ward section of the base member, the length of the extension UNITED STATES PATENTS being adjustable to accommodate changing requirements. 1,419,007 6/1922 Barrett 211/178 PATENTEU JUNZZlQfl 3, 5,4

sum 2 BF 2 DISPLAY RACK This invention relates generally to display racks and more specifically to an improved display rack providing adjustable multilevel display surfaces for merchandise.

Produce is conventionally displayed for sale in shallow open top display cases having a flat bottom and forward and rear retaining walls, with the goods on display being stacked in the case to provide a multilevel presentation. Frequently, produce crates and the like are stacked in the case to provide appropriate tiered display surface. Because of the common use of such makeshift arrangements, there is a need for a sturdy, compact and easily maintained display appliance for use in produce cases to provide a flexible tiered display format.

Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to augment conventional display arrangements with an adjustable display rack to be mounted in open top display case to provide a multilevel display of merchandise. Specifically, it is within the contemplation of the present invention to provide a display rack having at least two display surfaces including a forward tray section and an elevated rearward display surface of variable depth.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demonstrating the objects and features of the present invention, there is provided a multiple part display rack including a base member adapted to span a produce case from front to back and having a forward tray section and a raised rearward tray section. A detachable extension member is engageable with the raised rearward tray of the base member and extends forward from the raised tray to form an elevated shelf above the forward section of the base member. To add flexibility to the display rack, the forward end of the extension member includes a dropleaf securable over the forward section in various angled orientations with respect to the forward section.

The above brief description, as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, taken in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a display rack embodying the features of the present invention, partially broken away and with the extension member detached;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of therack;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing how the detachable member and the base member come together;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the produce rack, but having the extension member fully attached with the dropleaf in vertical position;

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5 but shows the dropleaf in angled position;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 5.

Referring to the drawing, FIG. I shows a preferred embodi ment of the invention comprising a two-section display rack 10 having a base member 12 and a detachable extension member 14. The base 12 is adapted to fit into a standard-type shallow produce case having forward and rear walls, 30 and 32 respectively (shown in FIGS. 5 and 6), with the base 12 spanning the case from front to rear so that the front edge I6 of the base is adjacent to the forward wall 30 of the case and the rear edge 18 is adjacent to the rear wall 32. In the preferred embodiment, base member 12 comprises a heavy gauge rectangular wire frame 20 and a central support strut 22 supporting a plurality of transverse bars 24 to form an open grate. The base member I2 includes a vertical section 26 intermediate the forward end 16 and the rear end 18 of the base, separating the base into a forward tray section 34 and a raised rearwardly disposed tray section 36. The extension member 14 similarly comprises a frame 28 and center strut 38 supporting a plurality of transverse bars 40 and includes a dropleaf 42 to be described in greater detail hereinafter.

For securing the display rack 10 into a produce display case, the base member 12 is provided with fixed forward pins 44 which are adapted to fit into holes 46 in the interior of the front wall 30 of the display case. The rear end of base 12 is provided with an adjustable yoke 48' including rear pins 48a similarly adapted to fit into holes 50 in the inner surface of the rear wall 32 of the case; Yoke 48 is slideably mounted beneath the upper tray section 36 of base 12 by three U-shaped supports 52a, 52b, and 52c. Two supports, 52a and 52b, depend from the rear of frame 18 and support the arms 48b of yoke 48. Neck 480 includes stop pins 41 at its forward end to limit the reach of yoke 48 as it slides rearwardly beneath the raised tray.

In operation, the forward pins 44 are secured into holes 46 in the forward wall of the case and the base member is pivoted into position. The yoke 48 then slides rearwardly until pins 48a engage holes 50 in the rear wall 32 of the display case. When so secured, base rack 12 spans the produce case from front to rear and provides a multilevel structure on which produce or other merchandise may be conveniently displayed.

The detachable extension member 14 is adapted to fit over base member 12 with the rearward portion of the extension member being engaged in different positions over the raised tray section 36 and the forward end of the extension member extending over the forward tray section 34. The detachable extension member is shown in engaged position in FIGS. 5 and 6.

In order to conveniently attach the extension member 14 to raised tray 36, member 14 is provided with a pair of depending hooks 56 on the rear of frame 28. I-Iooks 56 are adapted to latch under the transverse bars 40 of raised tray section 36 in a manner clearly shown in the sectional view of FIG. 4. The sequence of attachment is as follows: the extension member is held above the base member with its rear edge depending downwardly toward the base so that hooks 56 are angled downward as shown in dotted line in FIG. 4. The extension member is then brought down onto raised tray section 36 at the desired position and hooks 56 become positioned under a bar 24. The forward end of the detachable grate is then lowered until the lower surface 56a of books 56 are parallel to rung 24. In this position, the weight of the extension member is primarily supported by the forward portion of raised tray section 36, with hooks 56 preventing the rear edge of the extension grate from pivoting upward.

To enhance the flexibility 'of the display rack, detachable extension member 14 includes a dropleaf 42 pivotally secured at the forward end thereof. Dropleaf 42 comprises a grate including a rigid frame 60, a support strut 62 and a plurality of transverse bars 64. The dropleaf includes a pivoting bar 66 (best seen in FIG. 3) mounted onits rear surface adjacent its upper edge.

The mechanism by which dropleaf 58 is pivoted to the forward end of extension member 14 is shown in detail in FIG. 3. It will be seen that bar 66, which is secured to frame 60, is retained within a U-shaped connector 68 welded to the forward rim of frame 28 and dimensioned to permit pivoting bar 66 to rotate freely. Several such connectors 68 may be located along the forward edge of frame 28 to permit the dropleaf to pivot in the vertical plane. Pivoting bar 66 is mounted sufficiently below the upper edge of dropleaf 42 to permit the upper edge of dropleaf to protrude above the surface of extension member I4 to prevent merchandise displayed on member 14 from sliding forward.

Dropleaf 42 is adapted to be supported either in a vertical position or in one of several selected angled positions. In the vertical position, the dropleaf is supported by pins 70 which protrude downwardly from the lower edge of dropleaf 42. Pins 70 are adapted to fit between adjacent bars 24 of the lower tray 34 with the lower edge of frame 60 supported on the forward tray 34. This arrangement is shown in FIG. 5. It will be understood that when hooks 56 of the extension member 14 are secured about a particular rung 24 on the upper shelf 36 there will be aligned space between two selected rungs 24 on the lower shelf adapted to receive pins 70 with the dropleaf in vertical position.

To maintain the dropleaf in angled position, the dropleaf is provided with a supporting rod 72 shaped to form a loop 72a at its upper end and having an inverted U-shaped clamp 74 at its lower end. Loop 72a is fitted about strut 62 and the inverted U-shaped clamp 74 is adapted to fit over center strut 22 of forward tray section 34. The dropleaf is shown secured in an angled position in F IG. 6, and the engagement of U-shaped clamp 74 and strut 22 is shown in detail in FIG. 7.

As will be seen in FIG. 7, the U-shaped clamp 74 is adapted to straddle strut 22 and to engage one of the cross bars 24 of lower tray 34. With rod 72 in this position, dropleaf 42 is retained in angled position shown in FIG. 6. It is to be understood that rod 72 and the inverted U-shaped clamp 74 may be secured forward of any one of several crossbars 24, thus altering the angle at which dropleaf 42 is retained. The dropleaf thus provides a flexible addition to the display format, permitting merchandise to be located against the dropleaf and hence angled up towards the purchaser in any one of several positions.

Referring to atypical sequence of use, the base member 12 is secured in position in the produce case and extension member 14 is positioned over base member 12 at the desired extended position. Hooks 56 are lowered below and hooked around a selected crossbar 24 on upper tray section 36 and the detachable grate is then lowered into position over the base grate, If it is desired that dropleaf 42 be secured in a vertical position, pins 70 are guided between the appropriate two crossrungs 24 on forward tray section 34. lf it is desired that the dropleaf be angled, the U-shaped connection 74 of rod 72 is secured over the center bar 22 of forward tray section 34 against a crossbar 24. Produce may then be displayed on both the forward tray section and the raised rearward tray section, providing a flexible multilevel arrangement.

It is to be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely examples of the application of the present invention. Other embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

Whatl claim is:

l. A display rack for use in conjunction with a produce display case having a front wall and a rear wall, said display rack comprising a rigid base member spanning said display case from said front wall to said rear wall and including a lower forward tray motion having means for securing said forward tray section in said display case at said front wall, a rearward tray section disposed at a level above that of said forward tray section having means for securing said rearward tray section in said display case at said rear wall, and a detachable extension member variably engageable with said rearward tray section and extending forward of said rearward tray section to form and elevated shelf of variable depth above said forward tray section for the display of merchandise.

2. A display rack in accordance with claim 1 wherein said detachable extension member includes a dropleaf pivotally mounted at the forward end thereof and means for securing said dropleaf over said forward tray section in selected angle positions for the display of merchandise.

3. A display rack comprising a base grate including a rigid base frame supporting a plurality of spaced bars, said base grate having a vertical section separating said grate into -a horizontal forward tray section and a horizontal raised rear-, ward tray section, means for securing said base grate in a display case with said forward tray section adjacent the front wall of said display case and said rearward tray section adjacent the rear wall of said display case, a detachable extension grate comprising an extension frame having a plurality of spaced bars secured thereto, hook means depending from said extension grate and engageable with said rearward tray section for securing the rearward portion of said extension grate to said raised rearward tray section, a dropleaf secured to the forward end of said extension for securing said dropleaf over said forward tray section in selected angle positions with respect to said forward tray section.

4. A display rack adapted to support merchandise in a produce display case, said rack comprising a rigid base grate including a forward tray section having forward support means adapted to engage the forward wall of said display case and an elevated rearward tray section having rearward support means adapted to engage the rearward wall of said display case, at least one of said support means being extensible from said base grate so that said grate is receivable in display cases of varying sizes, and an extension tray attachable to said elevated rearward tray section at selected locations along said rearward tray section and extending forward of said rearward tray section to form a variable extension of said rearward tray section over said forward tray section. 

1. A display rack for use in conjunction with a produce display case having a front wall and a rear wall, said display rack comprising a rigid base member spanning said display case from said front wall to said rear wall and incLuding a lower forward tray section having means for securing said forward tray section in said display case at said front wall, a rearward tray section disposed at a level above that of said forward tray section having means for securing said rearward tray section in said display case at said rear wall, and a detachable extension member variably engageable with said rearward tray section and extending forward of said rearward tray section to form and elevated shelf of variable depth above said forward tray section for the display of merchandise.
 2. A display rack in accordance with claim 1 wherein said detachable extension member includes a dropleaf pivotally mounted at the forward end thereof and means for securing said dropleaf over said forward tray section in selected angle positions for the display of merchandise.
 3. A display rack comprising a base grate including a rigid base frame supporting a plurality of spaced bars, said base grate having a vertical section separating said grate into a horizontal forward tray section and a horizontal raised rearward tray section, means for securing said base grate in a display case with said forward tray section adjacent the front wall of said display case and said rearward tray section adjacent the rear wall of said display case, a detachable extension grate comprising an extension frame having a plurality of spaced bars secured thereto, hook means depending from said extension grate and engageable with said rearward tray section for securing the rearward portion of said extension grate to said raised rearward tray section, a dropleaf secured to the forward end of said extension for securing said dropleaf over said forward tray section in selected angle positions with respect to said forward tray section.
 4. A display rack adapted to support merchandise in a produce display case, said rack comprising a rigid base grate including a forward tray section having forward support means adapted to engage the forward wall of said display case and an elevated rearward tray section having rearward support means adapted to engage the rearward wall of said display case, at least one of said support means being extensible from said base grate so that said grate is receivable in display cases of varying sizes, and an extension tray attachable to said elevated rearward tray section at selected locations along said rearward tray section and extending forward of said rearward tray section to form a variable extension of said rearward tray section over said forward tray section. 